TY - JOUR T1 - Criteria for evaluating evidence that laboratory abnormalities are associated with the development of venous thromboembolism JF - Canadian Medical Association Journal JO - CMAJ SP - 1016 LP - 1021 VL - 163 IS - 8 AU - Shannon M. Bates AU - Jeffrey S. Ginsberg AU - Sharon E. Straus AU - Hans Rekers AU - David L. Sackett Y1 - 2000/10/17 UR - http://www.cmaj.ca/content/163/8/1016.abstract N2 - THE IDENTIFICATION OF CONDITIONS ASSOCIATED WITH an increased risk of venous thromboembolism may indicate the need for aggressive prophylaxis during periods of high risk, prolonged anticoagulant therapy after an initial venous thromboembolic episode, the investigation of asymptomatic family members and the avoidance of oral contraceptives. Advances in laboratory medicine have led to the identification and assessment of many proteins responsible for normal hemostasis, and associations between abnormalities in a number of these proteins and venous thromboembolism have been reported. Without the ability to appraise this information critically, physicians may be unable to determine whether or how they should modify their clinical practice. Criteria for determining whether specific laboratory abnormalities have a relationship with venous thromboembolism are proposed here, and one example of the application of these guidelines is provided. ER -